British low-cost airline and tour operator based in Leeds
Gatwick Airport reports half-year pre-tax profits of £136.5 million, down 18% on the prior year as passenger numbers dip amid Middle East conflict and fuel concerns. Long-haul travel falls while short-haul remains pressured; expansion plans for a second runway move forward after a Court of Appeal ruling.
Dubai airport handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half, a 32% drop from a year earlier. Second-quarter traffic reached 13 million as disruption from regional tensions eases; officials expect a return to full operation soon.
Apollo has won the bid to take EasyJet private at 715p a share, valuing the carrier at about $7.7 billion. Castlelake has withdrawn, clearing Apollo to move forward. The deal is expected to complete by Q1 2027, with Stelios Haji-Ioannou and family retaining shares. Shareholders face a vote and delisting of EasyJet.